/init

Initializes the project with a CLAUDE.md guide.

Initializes the project with a CLAUDE.md guide. With CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT=1, an interactive flow runs, including skills, hooks, and personal memory files.

✅ WHEN TO USE IT?

Prepare a new repository for Claude Code

In a freshly cloned project, run /init so Claude creates an initial CLAUDE.md with project context.

Full setup including skills, hooks, and memory

With the environment variable CLAUDE_CODE_NEW_INIT=1 set, start /init to interactively set up skills, hooks, and personal memory files as well.

⛔ WHEN NOT TO?

A well-maintained, project-specific CLAUDE.md already exists

Running /init again can overwrite or needlessly alter existing, carefully curated project docs.

Better: Edit CLAUDE.md manually and selectively instead of re-initializing the project.

SOURCES

Claude Code Doku (offiziell) ↗ code.claude.com